Ken Atkinson's 1952 Ford

Ken's Ford at the 1956 NHRA Nationals in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo courtesy of Justin Greene - Wild Child's Custom Shop.

Ken's Ford as it appeared when it was featured in Rod & Custom January 1957. Photo by Lynn Wineland.

Photo by Lynn Wineland.

Photo by Lynn Wineland.

Photo by Lynn Wineland.

Photo by Lynn Wineland.

1952 Ford Club Coupe owned and restyled by Ken Atkinson of Corpus Christi, Texas. Ken had already built himself a Cadillac powered Model A roadster as a dragster, and in that purpose he built himself a Cadillac powered haul car as well. The car was nosed and decked to achieve a smoother look. The body received a two-tone paint job separated by Buick trim spears. The taillights were frenched, and the headlights received the same treatment. A 1953 Chevrolet grille bar was installed, and the hood corners were rounded. The 371 inch Caddy engine was equipped with a Weber roller cam, McGurk rocker arms and an exhaust system which incorporated lakes, or headers. Shift lever from a Thunderbird was connected to a Pontiac Hydra-Matic transmission. The interior was done in black and white Naugahyde, and the dashboard was painted black and white to match the interior. A tachometer was installed on the upper left corner of the dash.

Ken owned a transmission shop in Corpus Christi, and he was a good mechanic. He hooked up with Leroy Mackey, who was also from Corpus Christi, and Ken's 1952 Ford became tow car for the Mackey & Veselka AA/g Dragster that also ran as a AA/Ag coupe with a Bantam body, and as a AA/AG sedan with a Ford Model A two-door body. Ken wrenched the dragster, and was a driver for the tow rig around 1957 - 1959.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Rod & Custom January 1957